EDUCATION MINISTRY IN HOT WATER OVER KOTAHENA CHILD'S SUICIDE

A massive protest was staged in Ladies' College, Bambalapitiya on May 8 (Thursday) demanding justice for Dilshi Amshika, (15) a former student of the school who took her own life on April 29 as a result of the trauma she had to endure following alleged sexual and psychological abuse by her school mathematics teacher.

- KAMANTHI WICKRAMASINGHE

• Massive protest held yesterday at her school in Bambalapitiya

• Education Ministry seeks explanation; teacher transferred

• Judicial medical officer files police complaint based on findings

• Teachers' Union calls for urgent investigation and prosecution

• Protesters urge PM/ Education Minister to ensure justice for Amshika

• Attempts to contact Education Minister and Deputy Education Minister and Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa proved futile

The protesters demanded justice from the school and relevant authorities to arrest the perpetrator and those who are aiding and abetting him to be free of prosecution and initiate a thorough investigation into the case.

In response to mounting pressure, the Education Ministry called for an explanation from the school principal regarding Amshika's suicide. A Ministry official said that the teacher had been transferred and disciplinary action would follow based on the police investigation.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Harendra De Silva, Emeritus Professor in Paediatrics at the University of Colombo said that transferring a teacher alleged to have committed a criminal offence is not the answer.

"Disciplinary action is not the solution.